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Weathering Winter’s Worst

Whether it’s a day swooshing down the ski slope, making snow angels in the backyard or taking a winter holiday road trip, make sure you have everything you and your family need to stay safe from extreme winter weather. Don’t let a good time turn sour with ill-preparation.

When you get ready to head outside in the cold, please remember the following advice:

• Recognize warning signs of frostbite: gray, white or yellow skin discoloration, numbness and waxy feeling skin. Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.
• The symptoms for hypothermia are memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, exhaustion, and uncontrollable shivering. People generally suffer from hypothermia after being over-exposed to extremely cold weather, dangerous wind chills, ice and snowstorms, freezing rain or sleet.
• Wear waterproof, insulated boots to help avoid hypothermia or frostbite by keeping your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in ice and snow.
• Get out of wet clothes immediately and warm the core body temperature with a blanket or warm fluids like hot cider or soup. Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol if you expect you or someone you are trying to help has hypothermia or frostbite.
• Most of your body heat is lost through your head so wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears.
• Dressing in warm layers helps you retain heat. You can remove layers as you need to, if you become too warm.
• Mittens provide more warmth to your hands than gloves.

Planning a winter get-away? Plan long trips carefully and travel during daylight hours. Let others know your travel route, destination and expected arrival time. Keep your gas tank at least half full and give yourself some extra time to reach your destination. If you find yourself on the roads during a winter storm, keep the following information in mind:

• Keep an ear tuned to the radio for the latest road conditions.
• Drive with your headlights on.
• Don’t drive faster than you can see ahead.
• Leave extra space between your automobile and others on the road.
• Remember bridges and overpasses usually freeze before other roads. Use caution.
• Make sure you are buckled up.
• Carry a charged cell phone and bring your car charger or buy one if you don’t have one already.

For more information, contact your local Red Cross